Back in the day, the United Kingdom had a manual visa-free entry method for non-visa nationals, who simply had to physically appear at the UK Border and were allowed entry as a visitor for a period of up to 6 months. This changed in May 2023, when the UK Government introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation (commonly known as ETA) to strengthen border security and digitise immigration.

The ETA is a digital permission to travel to the United Kingdom. It was first launched on the 25^th of October 2023 for Qatari nationals, acting as the initial phase of a wider rollout and the first step toward the UK’s transition to the digital immigration system.

On the 1^st of February 2024, the ETA was extended to other Gulf Cooperation Council States, namely, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. On the 27^th of November 2024, the ETA was opened for other non-European nationalities, including the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme was opened to additional nationalities in March last year. Although European nationals were expected to begin applying from April 2025, the ETA did not become mandatory at that stage.

Mandatory enforcement will instead begin on 25 February 2026, at which point all eligible non-visa nationals travelling to the United Kingdom, including European nationals, must hold a valid ETA prior to travel.

An up-to-date list of eligible nationalities is available on the UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

At the time of writing, the ETA costs £16. The application process implies the submission of an application form, which can be done via the UK ETA app (available on Google Play and the App Store) or online. The process time varies from 1 to 3 working days, with further delays possible. More information about how to apply can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply.

The ETA is valid for 2 years or until the passport, which was used during the application process, expires, whichever is sooner.

The carriers can deny boarding to anyone who requires an ETA but does not have one.

What if I am a visa national?

For visa nationals, the process of acquiring the right to enter the UK as a visitor involves a submission of a visa application and attendance at a designated Visa Application Centre, often in a country of residence, to submit biometric data.

As part of the UK’s wider transition to a fully digital border, physical entry clearance vignettes are being phased out in favour of eVisas, which are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport. While the exact date on which all visa nationals will move entirely to eVisas has not been formally confirmed, it is clear that from 25 February 2026, all travellers to the UK will be required to hold either a valid ETA or an eVisa linked digitally to their passport.

Essentially, an eVisa is a digital record of UK immigration status containing conditions of stay. Upon a successful visitor visa application, the applicant will be given instructions on how to create a UKVI account and how to demonstrate a valid permission to enter the UK to the carriers and at the UK border.

British dual nationals

This cohort of travellers does not require an ETA or eVisa. They can travel on a valid British passport or a passport endorsed with a Certificate of Entitlement (CoE). On the 26th of February 2026, the CoE vignettes will be replaced by a digital CoE and will not require renewal when a passport expires. Instead, the CoE holders will be able to update passport details via their UKVI account for free.

Other travellers

Certain individuals do not require an ETA or eVisa because they are exempt from the UK Immigration control. From the 25th of February 2026, this group of travellers will receive a Digital Record of Exemption, which will replace a physical exempt vignette in a passport.

The holders of Home Office Travel Documents, such as Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals (often refugees), as of the 26th of February 2026, will be able to automatically link their status to the UKVI account.

Do I need a lawyer to assist with ETA and eVisa?

When applying to visit the UK, visa nationals (eVisa applicants) and non-visa nationals (ETA applicants) must meet the relevant Immigration requirements, which, at the time of writing, are set out in Appendix V: Visitor of the Immigration Rules.

For most applicants, the visa application process is usually straightforward and does not require legal assistance. However, applicants with a past or present criminal records, offences, and visa refusals, or activists should seek legal advice on eligibility under the Immigration Rules, to avoid disappointment of receiving a refusal.

At Chan Neill Solicitors LLP, we have decades of experience in assisting a wide range of travellers to the United Kingdom. Do not hesitate to contact our Immigration Team for advice and assistance.

This article is provided  for general information only. It is not intended to be and cannot be relied upon as legal advice or otherwise. If you would like to discuss any of the matters covered in this article, please contact us using the contact form or email us on reception@cnsolicitors.com